Crystal Palace vs Everton

Fancy us to win 1-0 either way, COYB!

Hopefully 3 points on Saturday and pray for the Wolves Watford game to end in a draw. Even though Europe is great for the fans, unless we spend intelligently we are going to struggle next season, but we need 7th to show improvement.

Every time he's played and csome on as a sub he's been virtually invisible and offered nothing, but he's in last chance saloon now and he probably knows it, whether he's actually bothered or not and he just wants out come the summer who knows but if he plays tomorrow then he's got to do something.

Richarlison will be a big miss because he works absolutely brilliant with Coleman, it's like the left hand side with Bernard and Digne, little things like partnerships are starting to click and come together.

It is a tricky game tomorrow at Selhurst Park, Palace are a team that can do undoubtedly a lot of damage, they scored three goals at Anfield, the Etihad and the Emirates so that's what they can do.

At Selhurst though they sometimes struggle playing behind teams and results aren't as consistent plus we have had a really good record in this fixture going back to 1994 when we lost 1-0 to a looping Chris Armstrong header wearing our tractor tyre kit (which you can now buy in the retro range in the store).

So it will be tough, but one thing we do need is to avoid another bad away performance like at Fulham, it can't be happening again and we must build on such a great win last Sunday.

Clearly the pressing all over the pitch against Utd was a big factor in rattling them - can Lookman do the same ?

I'd like to see him try - but I also want us to the win the game. It's going to be more difficult without Richarlison.

If Charlie's out, it's a big blow, but who ever steps in must be fully focused. If Mola plays, it's a must for him to put his mark on the game and try and salvage some positives from his season.

I'll take any win, but it will be very tough but we can out play them, but beware of the acting and diving of Zaha, as skillfill as he can be, his antics, like a few players we know across the park, is not in the spirit of the game.

Everton to win Wolves and Watford to draw! Wishful thinking.

On a separate note Lyndon, there was quite an interesting read on bbc website this morning about the architect behind Goodison Park (and dozens of other stadiums). Not sure if the link works, but I'll try:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48028660

2-1 Blues.

Have to agree with fellow posters about wondering which Everton, and for that matter Crystal Palace will turn up. After the Arsenal win I was convinced the Fulham game was almost a certainty, and by how many goals would we win by.

I am hoping that the Fulham performance will have been learnt from, but also that the Man Utd drubbing will have our boys in confident (but not complacent) mood too.

Palace seem to be playing better away, than at home for some reason, and have recently turned Arsenal over, and of course not so long ago administered a similar beating away to Man City.

They are a team not to be under-estimated, but then again, all teams should be treated as such, but I feel a result is possible.

Is there a world in which Baines and Digne both start - one playing in front of the other? Josh Bowler has done so well of late for the Under 23s; he might be worth a place on the bench.

Benteke scored his one goal for the season last week so he is no threat. Townsend and Zaha could trouble us if Jordan has one of his off days.

Away games are tough whatever the opposition. To be honest, I haven't a clue what result to expect, I'm hoping for a win but, with us probably missing two influential players, maybe a draw will be the outcome.

I have said the same about Lookman from the beginning. I am bemused at why he gets so much praise.

If we do not have a few just as deserving in our U23s, the entire academy setup needs a root-and-branch investigation.

Lookman needs to either step up or ship out...

Remeber Roberto's first season: didn't we get beat by Palace to loose out on a European place???

I think the same should apply to Lookman; let him play a run of games as a starter and see what he can do. The odd cameo here and there is no way to judge someone at this level.

Sigurdsson did play his usual role last week, he was just better and got around more, even opened them up 2-3 times with through balls - something I've said he doesnt do. I suspect he, more than most, is loving the changed atmosphere at the old lady. He seems to revel in it.
Another player I've criticised is Gueye. I think I've spent far too much time concentrating on what he cant do, but what an attitude. He's another who seems to revel when the old lady is bouncing. His high energy game seems to rise to almost super human levels when the crowd are cheering every tackle.

While I'm in the confessional box. I want to give praise to the forgotten man ("slidingin"). Like many on here, I'd long since give up on him, but he was first class last week, nothing spectacular, but his positioning was text book all game. It's not easy to come back in from the cold like he did and if we are going to criticise him - God knows we've doen that - then it is churlish in the extreme not to give him credit when its due.

It all bodes well for next season. I think the players, together the crowd, are beginning to realise what it will take to turn the Old Lady into a fortress again, but its not enough. The players have to start rewarding the travelling fans with consistent performances on the road too. We will never improve until they do.

I suspect Seamus is in for a very difficult afternoon today, but if he can win his battle and the central defenders can cope with the high balls which will inevitably be aimed at Benteke, I think we will prevail

Palace are a well organised side with pace and size and a top class match winner in Zaha. It will not be easy and we will have to be near our Man U levels to get 3 points I think.

Richarlison will be a big miss and the full backs will have to do well to deal with the inevitable Palace counter attacks.

3 points to us and a Wolves-Watford draw please.

Beating Man U was great last week, but now it's down to the bread and butter stuff of being consistent. It has been elusive so I am tentative about this match. Zaha is a threat and will be looking for a penalty by whatever means.

I think we have more quality than CP, but we had more quality than Fulham and they outplayed us. With regards to Richarlison's replacement, I would like to see Lookman before Theo, with the specific instructions he has to track and tackle back as good as Bernard has been doing.

Correct Score, tough, scrappy game

Brain says 1-1

Heart says 1-2 , with a bit of magic from Ademola creating the winner .

I think Gylfi took the role of Gomes. If Gomes had a played, Gylfi would have been more advanced, back in the heavy traffic.

They will certainly have to keep Zaha quiet and on his present form thats no easy job, so whoever does replace Richarlison, will have to make sure they get back and help when we are not in possession.

I would hope that its not another case of following a very good performance with a poor one. Consistency is what we have lacked all season, they have showed that they can beat the best at Goodison, but repeating that away has proved difficult for us. So I would hope we start with the same intensity we displayed last week, get Palace on the back foot and keep them there.

Also hope Getaway Trump lugs that big weight around Sandown.

Just having a faux BK bash before somebody does it for real lol! :-)

Dave, rarely in my watching footy have I seen two full backs stacked on top of each other work. It might, but I'd prefer a rounder peg in the hole.

He's been bouncing at home since he broke the track record at Ayr, so here's hoping he's safe home tonight ready for a good holiday before going chasing next season. We can't wait to see him over fences.

Silva has to show he can beat this level of team. Whatever this season is, he has consistently failed to play well against sides who sit back.

Two full backs together, I think we are better than that.

Getaway Trump carrying a fair bit of weight and it will take a gutsy performance to win it. I think there will be something well handicapped that will make the weight tell after the last. Humble Hero could be a few lbs in on the handicap and that could make the difference.

Congratulations PT. Did in in real style

His fella did it in style. Those of us who backed were counting our winnings long before the line. . Just the way I like them

Darren, how much did you win? I won't tell the tax boys, I promise.

The tax man wont be to concerned, Just don't tell the missus she's watching QVC shopping chanel